The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-09
MINE-OWNERS ANDWORKERS
Origin and Growth of the National Fed
GRAFTON Of Operators and Laborers.
Opening Of the Second Annual Convention
Yesterdav-The Strike of the New York
'Longshoremen Practically Ended.
FEDERATED MINERS.
Growth and Success of Movement Origi
ating in the Brazil District

Growth and Success of Movement Origin
ating in the Brazil District
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
BRAZIL, Feb 8-The National Federated As
ISOLATION of Miners and Mine Laborers, whose
second annual convention opens in Columbus,
o., to-day, is an advance movement n the in
dustrlal world that promises happy solution of
the labor problem. 1t originated in the summer
OF 1850 among the miners and operators in this
district. meeting was held in Indianapolis
and another in Chicago between representatives
of the two bodies, and address was elaborated
which was formally adopted by the miners and
operators at third meeting in Terre Haute the
following October. The spirit of the address
was that strikes ought to be abolished, and that
employer and employee ought to meet each other
in conciliatory measures. The matter came be-
fore the Pittsburg convention later on, and
when the first national convention was called at
Columbus, year ago, Indiana. Illinois, Ohio,
Pennsylvania and West Virginia entered the
compact, and yearly scale of prices for mining
the various Goals in the different States was put
into force May l. There have been differences
between operators and miners of course, and
the scale itself has not been entirely satisfactory,
but no difference has been of sufficient nature to
cause cessation of work, while the uniformity of
the scale has done away with much friction that
would otherwise have marred the relations
of operators and miners. review of the
past year shows steadier employment for mine rs
no strikes and comparatively little difference be-
tween employer and employe. and more settled
basis for the coal trade. In Indiana alone the
coal output showed healthy advance over last
year, while the capital invested was materially
greater than the preceding year, largely due to
the settled condition of affairs. The same re-
port comes from all the States federated to-
| gether
| The Federated Association has not been without
| its drawbacks Among these was the hesitancy
| Of the miners 10 take up with the new theory.
| They had been accustomed to strikes, and they
| looked with suspicion upon order that did
| away with strikes and substituted, instead, ami
| cable and friendly relations in concilatory
measures The federation was slow in obtain
4 ing footing. Besides it was not favorably re-
| garded by its elder brothers. the various labor
| orders from whom its conciliatory measures
| alienated it. Its darkest days were during the
| great strike on the Southwestern railroad system
of the Gould syndicate. 1t rallied, however. and
saved its life later on by refusing to merge with
| the knights Of Labor. From beginning OF five
| hundred it now has membership of two thou
| sand. and the territory organized does not in
clude but about twothirds of the mining dis
| tricts in the State. 1t has had much the same
lot in the other States Its influence has beer
everywhere felt for good, and the probability il
| the close of the present convention will find i
| stronger and with smoother sailing than hith
| erto.
The question Of graded scale of prices ha
| concerned the miners of this district, and othe
questions have doubtless agitated the miners il
| other sections. These interests will center il
| the convention for adjustment The probabilit.
is the convention will be able to stand the strain
since the answer must be the mutual agreemen
| of all parties concerned.
1 4 scale of prices for next year will be fixet
| by the convention. The following scale is il
force at present Just bow it will be modifet
it is hard to tell. The biruminous miners ii
part are satisfied with the present scale, 'whil
| there is general opinion that the price of min
ing ought to be advanced 10 cents ton. TIL
block miners here would have the present rat
as the minimum, with vein three feet, tel
| inches to four feet as the standard, then for ev
cry three inches less cents extra.
/ Per Ton
Pitesburg, 81 cents per bushe or--..-...-.. Il
Hooking Valley Observation-Disclosures. 60
Indiana block OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. so